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MyReporter - What is the status of the murder charge against Charles Saliba?

Published: Thursday, May 9, 2013 at 8:24 a.m.

Last Modified: Thursday, May 9, 2013 at 8:24 a.m.

Q: What is the status of the murder charge against Charles Saliba?

A: Charles Saliba is still in the New Hanover County jail awaiting trial. His next court date is Aug. 19, though that doesn't necessarily mean his trial will begin on that date. The case could be continued.

Saliba, 32, accused of fatally shooting Micheal Lamar Smith, 33, faces charges of first-degree murder, armed robbery and possession of a gun by a convicted felon. Smith's body was found in March 2011 in a car left outside a Blockbuster Video store in Monkey Junction. Detectives believe the two men, friends, had arranged to meet that night but they have not disclosed a possible motive for the killing.

<p>Q: What is the status of the murder charge against Charles Saliba? </p><p>A: Charles Saliba is still in the New Hanover County jail awaiting trial. His next court date is Aug. 19, though that doesn't necessarily mean his trial will begin on that date. The case could be continued.</p><p>Saliba, 32, accused of fatally shooting Micheal Lamar Smith, 33, faces charges of first-degree murder, armed robbery and possession of a gun by a convicted felon. Smith's body was found in March 2011 in a car left outside a Blockbuster Video store in Monkey Junction. Detectives believe the two men, friends, had arranged to meet that night but they have not disclosed a possible motive for the killing.</p><p>– <a href="http://www.starnewsonline.com/section/topic9904"><b>Brian Freskos</b></a></p><p>Q: How many murders have happened in Wilmington in the past five years? </p><p>A: There were 41 murders in Wilmington between 2008 and the end of 2012.</p><p>"Of that figure, we have a high solve rate," said Kevin Smith, deputy public information officer for the Wilmington Police Department.</p><p>The following represents the number of homicides by year in Wilmington:</p><p>2008: 14</p><p>2009: 4</p><p>2010: 5</p><p>2011: 10</p><p>2012: 8</p><p>Total: 41</p><p>The following represents the number of homicide investigations by year:</p><p>2008: 12</p><p>2009: 4</p><p>2010: 5</p><p>2011: 9</p><p>2012: 8</p><p>Total: 38</p><p>Of those 38 investigations, 30 have been closed or cleared and eight remain open, a clearance rate of nearly 80 percent.</p><p>– Molly Parker</p>